Can a $375 Airbag Vest Save Your Hide in a Motorcycle Crash?

Technology can go a long way towards protecting motorcyclists from the inevitable two-wheeled mishap, and high-dollar devices like Alpinestars' $5,000 airbag suit uses body sensors and predictive algorithms to determine when an accident is about to occur, and inflate an air bag around the collarbone area within milliseconds to prevent breakage of the commonly injured clavicle. But if you're not one for pricey solutions, SaferMoto builds a far simpler airbag system that starts at $375, and has been attracting buzz within motorcycle and equestrian circles.

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Using a tether that attaches to a fixed point on the motorcycle, SaferMoto's airbag vests and jackets pack a 60cc tube of compressed air that inflates in a fraction of a second when the cord is pulled hard enough, delivering spine, neck, and clavicle protection. The system requires 60 pounds of force to trigger-- unintentionally walking away from the bike isn't enough to set it off-- and several online testimonials echo global distributor Alan Cunningham's firsthand claims that the product can help avoid serious injuries.

Personally, I've experienced a planned (ie, non crash-instigated) trigger of the SaferMoto airbag vest, and the padding created by the inflation seems stiff and sustained enough to create a protective barrier against the back area. The collar also appears constricting enough to keep a helmet from compressing against the shoulders. But while the deployment encouraged me to give the vest a go the next time I swing a leg over a motorcycle, this is definitely one item I hope not to become an authority on any time soon.